If you’re after the ultimate comfort food that’s hearty, creamy, and downright irresistible, this Hobo Casserole Ground Beef Recipe is just what you need. Imagine thinly sliced potatoes layered with savory ground beef, sweet onions, and a luscious, cheesy sauce—all baked to bubbling perfection. It’s the kind of meal that warms both your kitchen and your heart, packed with nostalgic flavors and simple ingredients. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or looking for a cozy dish to share with friends, this Hobo Casserole Ground Beef Recipe never disappoints.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of pantry staples and a few fresh basics, you can whip up this satisfying casserole in no time. Each ingredient plays a special role, adding its own flavor, texture, or creamy goodness to the mix. Here’s everything you’ll need to make this Hobo Casserole Ground Beef Recipe shine:
- Ground beef (1 pound): The star of the show, providing rich, savory flavor and heartiness.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Essential for bringing out all the flavors in every layer.
- Black pepper (1/2 teaspoon): Adds just the right amount of gentle heat and depth.
- Garlic powder (1 teaspoon): For a subtle burst of garlicky goodness without the fuss of mincing cloves.
- Onion, thinly sliced (1 small): Lends sweetness and a little bite to each savory forkful.
- Potatoes, thinly sliced (2 cups): Yukon gold or russet work best for tender, creamy layers.
- Cream of mushroom soup (1 can, 10.5 oz): Forms the base of that classic creamy sauce everyone loves.
- Sour cream (1/2 cup): Adds tang and richness that takes the whole dish up a notch.
- Shredded cheddar cheese (1 cup): Melts into gooey, golden perfection on top of the casserole.
- Milk (1/2 cup): Helps thin the sauce just enough so everything bakes up creamy, not dry.
- Worcestershire sauce (1 tablespoon): Adds a pop of savory depth that ties all the flavors together.
- Butter, cubed (2 tablespoons): Dotting the casserole with butter ensures the potatoes bake up luscious and flavorful.
- Chopped parsley (optional): A fresh, colorful finish if you want to add a sprinkle before serving.
How to Make Hobo Casserole Ground Beef Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with a little butter or nonstick spray. This step ensures your Hobo Casserole Ground Beef Recipe doesn’t stick and comes out in perfect, cheesy squares.
Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef
In a large skillet set over medium heat, cook the ground beef with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Break it up with your spoon as it cooks, making sure it’s beautifully browned and crumbly. Once it’s cooked through, drain off any excess fat and set the beef aside—you want the flavor, not the grease!
Step 3: Mix the Creamy Sauce
Grab a medium bowl and stir together the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, milk, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth. This dreamy mixture is what makes every bite of your Hobo Casserole Ground Beef Recipe so comforting and decadent.
Step 4: Layer the Casserole
Now comes the fun part! Layer half of the thinly sliced potatoes in the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Top with half of the onions, then half the cooked ground beef. Spoon over half of your creamy soup mixture, then dot with half the butter cubes. Repeat these layers with the remaining ingredients, ending with a final sprinkle of butter up top.
Step 5: Bake Covered
Cover the dish tightly with foil to trap in all that wonderful moisture, then bake for 45 to 50 minutes. This gives the potatoes time to soften and the flavors to meld. You’ll know it’s just right when you can easily pierce the potatoes with a fork.
Step 6: Add Cheese and Finish Baking
Carefully remove the foil and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Slide the dish back into the oven, uncovered, for another 15 to 20 minutes. The cheese will melt into a golden, bubbling crust, making your Hobo Casserole Ground Beef Recipe downright irresistible.
Step 7: Rest and Garnish
Once everything is hot and bubbly, let the casserole sit for about 5 minutes before serving. This little pause helps the layers set, so you get perfect slices. For a touch of color and freshness, sprinkle with chopped parsley if you like.
How to Serve Hobo Casserole Ground Beef Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley adds a lovely pop of green and a hint of brightness against the rich, cheesy casserole. You can also try a dash of smoked paprika or even a few sliced green onions for a little extra flavor and color.
Side Dishes
This Hobo Casserole Ground Beef Recipe is super satisfying on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a simple green salad tossed in a tangy vinaigrette, some buttered green beans, or roasted broccoli. A warm slice of crusty bread is a perfect way to scoop up any extra sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re feeling playful, spoon portions into individual ramekins for a dinner-party feel or serve the casserole family-style in a rustic baking dish right in the center of the table. For a twist, top each serving with a fried egg or a dollop of extra sour cream.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers of the Hobo Casserole Ground Beef Recipe keep wonderfully in the fridge! Transfer any remaining casserole to an airtight container and store for up to three days. The flavors deepen overnight, making next-day servings even more delicious.
Freezing
To freeze, let the casserole cool completely, then wrap portions tightly in foil or plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag or container. It’ll keep for up to two months. This makes it a fantastic make-ahead meal for busy evenings or last-minute guests.
Reheating
When you’re ready to enjoy it again, reheat individual portions in the microwave or pop the whole casserole back in the oven at 350°F, covered, until hot and bubbly. If reheating from frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge first for best results.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Main Course
Absolutely! You can easily swap in cream of chicken or cheddar soup for a slightly different flavor profile in your Hobo Casserole Ground Beef Recipe. Each option keeps the casserole creamy and delicious.
What’s the best potato to use?
Both Yukon gold and russet potatoes work great, but Yukon golds offer a buttery texture and hold their shape well. Russets will be a bit fluffier. Just be sure to slice them thin so they cook through perfectly.
Can I add extra veggies?
Definitely! This Hobo Casserole Ground Beef Recipe is super flexible. Try adding sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, or even a handful of spinach between the layers for extra color and nutrition.
How do I know when the casserole is done?
When the potatoes are fork-tender and the cheese on top is golden and bubbly, your casserole is ready. If you’re unsure, poke a fork into the center—if it slides through the potatoes easily, dinner’s served!
Is this casserole kid-friendly?
Absolutely—kids love the creamy sauce, melty cheese, and tender potatoes. This Hobo Casserole Ground Beef Recipe is a family favorite for a reason! You can even sneak in some extra veggies if you like.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a dinner that brings big smiles and second helpings, give this Hobo Casserole Ground Beef Recipe a spot on your table. It’s cozy, crowd-pleasing, and so simple to make, you’ll find yourself coming back to it again and again. Give it a try, and let the comfort begin!
Print
Hobo Casserole Ground Beef Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This hearty Hobo Casserole Ground Beef Recipe is a comforting American main course featuring layers of seasoned ground beef, thinly sliced potatoes, onions, and a creamy mushroom sauce, all baked to perfection with melted cheddar cheese on top. It’s perfect for a family dinner and makes delicious leftovers.
Ingredients
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Vegetables
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cups thinly sliced potatoes (Yukon gold or russet)
Sauce and Dairy
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup milk
Additional Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter, cubed
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef along with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder until browned. Once cooked, drain off any excess fat and set the beef aside.
- Mix Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, milk, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Layer Ingredients: Start by layering half of the thinly sliced potatoes evenly at the bottom of the baking dish. Next, spread half of the sliced onions over the potatoes, followed by half of the cooked ground beef. Spoon half of the creamy soup mixture evenly over the beef and distribute half of the cubed butter on top.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat the layering process with the remaining potatoes, onions, ground beef, soup mixture, and butter cubes, ensuring the ingredients are spread evenly.
- Bake Covered: Cover the casserole tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes to allow the potatoes to start cooking through.
- Add Cheese and Continue Baking: Remove the foil and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top of the casserole. Return it to the oven and bake uncovered for another 15 to 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest and Garnish: Once done, remove the casserole from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes to set. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute the cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken or cheddar cheese soup for a different flavor profile.
- For added taste and texture, consider including sliced mushrooms or green bell peppers in the layers.
- This casserole reheats very well and is a great dish for leftovers.
- Ensure you slice the potatoes thinly to guarantee even cooking within the baking time specified.
- Use Yukon gold potatoes for a creamier texture or russet potatoes for a more traditional potato flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
